EDGEWATER, Fla. – Edgewater residents band together to form an emergency response team flooding from recent hurricanes and storms.

Area resident Heather Bendl told News 6 they are working with FEMA to form the emergency response team through FEMA’s program called “CERT.” It trains volunteers in fire safety, disaster medical operations, and light and search and rescue.

Bendl said about 40 people expressed interest in joining the team.

Storms and flooding in the city, especially in the Florida Shores area, have been a concern for many residents in recent years.

“There are people who don’t beg for help. They don’t know how to reach out,” said resident Kimberly Penny.

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Penny said her house and garden were flooded due to the hurricane and even the storm. After last month’s Hurricane Milton, he realized the help needed and how difficult first responders were. Ready to volunteer.

“If we can’t stop them from flooding, we have to figure out how we can help them because some people don’t have family to help,” he said.

As part of the CERT program, volunteers will be trained and equipped to assist in the event of any natural disaster or mass casualty event after passing a background check.

“If the city is not taking action but just making plans, then we must take action,” he said.

The city’s fire department will sponsor the CERT program for residents so FEMA can arrive, but that doesn’t mean the city is paying for it. Bendl said they are currently in the process of finding an attorney to help them become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. They can then apply for grants and find sponsors to help pay for equipment.

“There was one in the city of Edgewater fifteen years ago and it fell apart, so I’m proud to say and see that they’ve restarted it. This is much needed in our community,” said Mayor Diezel Depew.

Depew also said the city manager has a plan to address infrastructure and flooding issues.

On Monday night, the city will also host a town hall meeting where residents can voice their concerns and do more than just council meetings and talk about the plans.

“I experienced this. I know what they feel. I know your feelings and cutting them off in three minutes makes me feel terrible. This is their chance to talk, ask the manager and me any questions. I felt there was a need for this in the community,” Depew said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can send an email to [email protected].

City Hall will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 3232 S. Ridgewood Ave. It will be at Bella Vista Baptist Church located at .

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